A city trader who is claiming millions for sexual harassment allegedly talked about keeping sex toys in her fridge, an employment tribunal heard yesterday.

Rosemarie Corscadden, 51, was said to have participated in explicit office banter and also to have pursued her boss Jerry Lees for sex.

It was also alleged that she discussed at work how she used her car as a 'pulling machine'.

Miss Corscadden, who earned £110,000 in the sales team of equity broker Chevreux, has told the tribunal it was Mr Lees who repeatedly propositioned her for sex and that she was humiliated when forced to wear a 'bunny girl' costume on a team-building exercise.

She has also accused Mr Lees, the head of sales, of saying he felt like he was 'running a brothel' and of referring to women brokers on his staff as a 'team of prostitutes'.

Miss Corscadden claims she was worn down by years of sexual harassment from Mr Lees and, when she refused to sleep with him, was overlooked for promotion.

She said when she eventually complained she was subject to 'malicious' treatment and signed off work.

The City firm, part of the Credit Agricole group, denies Miss Corscadden's claims but could pay up to £5million if she is successful.

Mr Lees, 54, said he engaged in 'friendly banter' including sending emails with sexual content.

He told the central London employment tribunal: 'This was light-hearted humour amongst a group of friendly grown ups and the atmosphere on the desk is generally very civil and professional.

'It is not a stereotypical City traders' desk. I do not accept that this banter crossed the line in terms of creating a sexually harassing environment.'

He added: 'Not only has Ros never once complained about this banter, but she herself actively participated in it. Thus, for example, there are instances where she forwarded me joke emails with sexual content.

'There is also an example of her sending an email to a client, in which she talks about using her car as "an A-grade pulling machine in summer, particularly if there are two blondes in it".

Counter claims: Jerry Lees

'I would add that I am also aware that Ros has participated in discussions in the workplace about sexual matters including keeping vibrators in the fridge.'

He also claimed that Miss Corscadden had invited clients to an event at the Crazy Horse club in Paris where women performed striptease acts and she 'obviously enjoyed the evening'.

Miss Corscadden has claimed Mr Lees propositioned her on a business trip to Amsterdam in 2005.

He allegedly promised to help with her business if they 'had great sex', but Mr Lees said he made no such suggestions and that Miss Corscadden had in fact propositioned him.

He said he 'specifically recalled' her remarks. He added: 'I was a little surprised. . . because it was made in a flirtatious way and it seemed to me that Ros was propositioning me and implying that she and I could begin a sexual relationship. I was not interested in this but didn't want to hurt her feelings.'

Mr Lees also vehemently denied the 'running a brothel' and 'team of prostitutes' remarks, saying it would have been 'complete madness' to talk in that way.

But he acknowledged he may have referred to brokers being 'whores of the industry', which he explained was a 'widely used euphemism in our industry' and was not referring to women.

Mr Lees said he believed that Miss Corscadden had made the allegations 'as leverage to secure an improved bonus payout'.

The hearing continues.

The tribunal gave its judgment on 11 November 2009.
Its unanimous judgment was that: the complaints of sexual harassment and
harassment on grounds of age failed as the tribunal did not have jurisdiction
to hear them; the claim of direct sex discrimination and direct age
discrimination and victimisation failed and were dismissed.